Spike.



F. R. GREENE.

SPIKE.

FILED JAN 13 APPLICATION .1915. I 1,171,336. Patented Feb. 8, 19l6.

mm new and useful Improvements FRANK R. GREENE, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

SPIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 13, 1915. Serial No. 2,021.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK R. GREENE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented cer- 1n Spikes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to spikes and more particularly to a spike embodying certain characteristic features of construction which especially adapt it for use in securing railway rails to ties.

The invention has for its object to provide a spike and key therefor serving to lock the spike against withdrawal. 7

Another object is the provision of a spike having a transverse shoulder adjacent its pointed end adapted to cooperatewith the pointed extremity of the locking key to curve or direct the latter outwardly and laterally of the shank of the spike so as to lock the latter against removal.

With these and other objects in View, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts as will be hereinafter specifically described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the improved spike applied to use. Fig. 2 represents a rear elevation of the spike, and Fig. 3 represents a perspective view of the locking key removed.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 5 indicates the shank of a spike of the usual or any preferred construction having a head 6 at one end and having the opposite end 7 enlarged and pointed, as indicated at 8. The enlarged end 7 of the spike shank defines a transversely extending shoulder 9 which is curved, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1, so

as to deflect the pointed extremity of the locking key laterally of the spike shank, as will be hereinafter clearly described.

The locking key, which is clearly'illustrated in Fig. 3, includes a substantially fiat body or shank 10 having one end enlarged laterally to provide a head 11 designed to cooperate with a suitable tool to permit of the removal of the locking key.

Patented Feb. 8, 1916.

The opposite end and inner face of the body or shank 10 is curved, as indicated at 12, preferably conformably with the curved face 9 of the spike 5, and the outer surface of the body 10 is cut away, as indicated at 13, to present a concave surface. The convex face 12 and concave face 13 ofthe locking key define a cutting edge 14 at the end thereof opposite the head 11 and the specific purpose of cutting away the body at 13 is to insure proper bending or deflection when the looking key is driven home.

In use, the spike 5 is driven into a tie or other object 15 in the usual manner and the pointed end 14 of the locking key '10 is positioned against the rear face of the spike and driven downwardly. When the convex surface 12 ofv the locking key engages the concave surface 9 of the spike the pointed end 14: of I the locking memberis deflected laterally into the tie to the position illustrated in Fig. 1, thus reliably locking the spike against removal.

What I claim is: I

In combination, a spike having a curved shoulder adjacent its pointed end and extending from one side face to the opposite side face, and a locking key of uniform thickness throughout the major portion of its length, having lateral enlargements at one end of the longitudinal edges thereof to provide a head and having the inner surface of the opposite end curved conformably with and adapted for engagement with the curved shoulder and having the outer face of the last mentioned end concave to define a point or cutting edge and to insure deflection thereof when the locking key is driven home.

In testimony whereof I affix mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

. FRANK R. GREENE.

Witnesses:

Row P. GREEN, J 0s. C. VEHUE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, 2!). G. 

